Exercises: Playing by the rules

  • Published
  • By David Wheeler
  • 341st Missile Wing Inspector General
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Exercises and inspections can not obtain desired objectives if personnel are getting hurt or are unaware of how or when to properly evacuate a work center, or if the benefit does not out-weigh the monetary cost to the government. It is important for personnel on Malmstrom Air Force Base to understand the exercise ground rules as they apply to active duty, retirees, Guard members, government employees, family members, contractors and other civilians on base.

There have been a fair number of exercises this year, and planners understand these exercises cause inconveniences and impact normal operations. However, the exercise scenarios and rules are designed to minimize the impact on mission-related activities and to reduce any inconvenience to non-military personnel.

Below are the fundamental ground rules that apply to exercise events. All personnel should use these rules when preparing for and participating in local exercises conducted by the 341st Missile Wing.

Safety
Safety takes precedence over exercise events. The Exercise Evaluation Team, or EET, will not knowingly put anyone at risk to conduct an exercise.

Anyone who believes exercise activity will cause some unnecessary danger, jeopardize personal safety or damage equipment, has the right to cease all actions and ask for a safety review.

Immediately contact an EET member (identified by their badges or vests during an exercise) or ask anyone in the appropriate chain of command.

Exercises will always stop to ensure safety.

Building Evacuations
Bomb threats, fires or other similar hazards during an exercise or inspection will require certain buildings and facilities to be vacated. Military and government employees will comply fully with evacuation events.

Contractors will respond to all evacuations unless doing so would result in a negative mission impact or government delay of contractor performance.

The Child Development Center, Youth Programs and personnel residing in base housing, dormitories, billeting or transient lodging facilities are exempt from exercise evacuation.

Offices will maintain minimum personnel for security requirements at evacuated facilities.

Restricted Movements
All personnel will take appropriate shelter when implementing exercise Force Protection Conditions, or FPCON measures. The intent is to demonstrate capability, however the following exemptions apply:
  • Contractors will comply as applicable as long as the movement restrictions do not cause substantial increased costs to the government.
  • Family members, military retirees and other civilians will be required to comply long enough to demonstrate the capability to adequately protect all base personnel.
  • After demonstrating capability, each facility manager must request permission to release personnel through their Unit Control Center.
  • All base personnel will be allowed to move during increased FPCONs to report for scheduled medical appointments.
Overtime
Generally, the wing's policy is not to incur additional expenses for exercises.

Squadron commanders will determine the requirement for civilian participation.

For more detailed information on exercise and inspection ground rules, reference 341st MWI 10-204, Attachment 2. Other questions can be directed to an EET member or by calling the 341st MW/IGI at 731-7789.